BLACKPOOL
SHOW - SUCCESS ALL ROUND
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Blackpool this year was somewhat busier than normal
for myself as this being my first year attending as
an Auctioneer, at 33 years of age am I the youngest
???. So many hours of work was put into what was generally
classed as one of my Annual Holidays. Accompanied by
my good lady Celeste and father Homer we boarded the
over-night boat from Belfast to Liverpool on Thursday
evening knowing of course before hand that we were very
much in for a rough crossing. (It wouldn’t be
Blackpool without some sort of bad weather.) Surprisingly
there weren’t too many pigeon fanciers aboard
the vessel and probably over-all the boat was about
half filled of its total capacity, a reflection perhaps
of the crossing we were expected to experience. Departure
was delayed by about one hour, although with dinner
served upon boarding the vessel all as part of the ticket
price the hour went un-noticed. After dinner and a few
swift ones from the bar we finally departed to our very
cold cabin around 1.00am and it wasn’t long before
the high winds and waves were bashing the front of the
vessel. Rough would be an understatement with the Merc
parked on the upper level of the vessel I was more concerned
how I was going to find it when disembarking the following
morning, or more importantly how the contents inside
would look. We were due to dock at 6.30am, so running
around one hour late we had time to enjoy a very enjoyable
cooked breakfast before heading to the car, high winds
and heavy rain greeted us up on the car deck over looking
at this point the high raised office and apartment blocks
that now surround the docks of Liverpool, the 2008 Capital
City of Culture.
With the car installed with a Sat Nav system for the
weekend Homer, assisted of course by my good lady programmed
where we where heading, at this point I was starting
to appreciate why my wife was accompanying us to Blackpool.
When the man’s patience runs out, the women always
seem to have piles left. So before long we had entered
the Mersey Tunnel on our way to Blackpool with the window
wipers in fifth gear we made good time of 50 minutes
into Blackpool of course took nearly the same time to
get through Blackpool as it took to get there. I could
count on one hand the amount of speed traps we have
in Northern Ireland, a calculator is required for Blackpool
and you would need to keep it out to count all the Traffic
Wardens, a disgrace if you ask me. The pigeon men bring
so much money into the local area and the council treats
us like that with swarms of Traffic Wardens giving out
tickets, needs addressing if you ask me.
With my first sale planned for the Blackpool Football
Club on Friday evening we headed over to that side of
town and without a great deal of hassle it was easy
found. The Blackpool Club itself are making huge steps
and are competing this year in the Championship, one
step away from the Premiership. Bloomfield Road had
indeed a very long football history, some greats of
the football world have performed here including Sir
Stanley Matthews, Stan (The Man) Mortensen and Jimmy
Armfield the England Captain, to name just three. They
are also former winners of the FA Cup. So when you have
such a prestigious venue like this you can only feel
very honored as did the Vendors Frans Van Wildemeersch
and his good lady Frida Vyncke. The staff had the venue
well left out like a restaurant with clean white table
cloths on all the large circular tables. John and Alan
proceeded to build the pens while we enjoyed coffee
and a spread of biscuits, approaching 11.30am we decided
to head over to have a look around the show also seeking
to have the Wildemeersch birds picked up on the same
journey. We arrived at the show venue witnessing the
normal hustle and bustle you would expect with stall
holders setting up for the opening on Saturday morning.
It’s only when you go behind the scenes that you
see the level of work and appreciate what is involved,
just not by the stall holders but more importantly the
RPRA in getting it all sorted out. I met a lot of familiar
faces including Sarah Hall of Petron Lofts who I had
met at the Dublin Show a couple of months earlier. Also
there was already, a large number of fanciers from Ireland,
including John Millar who is always extremely busy bringing
birds back and fourth. Having had a quick look around,
including meeting for the first time Johnny Burch we
headed back to the Football Club for the Lunch that
was to be served at 1.00pm.
Soon after we returned, Frans Van Wildemeersch and Frida
had arrived, landing at Manchester Airport and heading
on down into Blackpool. I must thank my good friends
John Turner and Alan Cornwall for all their help during
Blackpool and specifically them acquiring the Blackpool
Football Club, the Hilton I must say as regards venues
for selling pigeons the Staff are out of this world
as is the Head Chef Mandy who put some spread on for
Lunch with a fabulous Hot Pot and Bread and Butter Pudding
that had Frans Van reaching for more. Coming with 14
years in the hospitality sector I would recommend this
lady’s cooking hands down. (its making my mouth
water thinking about it).
We spent most of the day at the Football Club heading
back into Blackpool in the afternoon to get checked
into our hotel which this year happened to be right
next door to the Cliffs Hotel were I was to auction
two sets of pigeons on Saturday. My wife Celeste either
is lucky or extremely good as she was given the job
of booking everything. (In all honesty would be lost
without her as most pigeon men would quietly admit about
their other half). We decided to head back to the Football
Club at 4.00pm to have the Wildemeersch pigeons penned,
earliness allowing them time to settle with viewing
scheduled for 6.00pm with a sale kick off at 7.45pm.
The crowd started to fill up around 7.00pm which illustrated
to me that maybe 6.00pm was too early with many fanciers
still enjoying their supper at their respective hotels.
Fanciers were evident from many parts of England, Wales
and Scotland not forgetting of course Ireland where
the Wildemeersch pigeons have been a major part of some
successful stories back home with the larger being that
of the late great Bertie Fletcher and son Cyril. Those
pigeons still to this day are founding lofts around
the country. It wasn’t long before the hospitality
suite started to fill up and all the signs were of a
very good sale and that’s exactly how it turned
out with many of the current day greats in pigeon racing
bidding and successfully buying a few. I was very pleased
to meet Lee Fribbens owner of the Racing Pigeon Ltd
and his father for the first time, Lee initially drifted
over to the table I was sitting at obviously being alert
enough from my photo in the weekly column to know who
I was, but with never any photo of Lee appearing or
me being from England I had to gather all my thinking
and thoughts before putting 2 and 2 together. All 63
Lots were sold with Lee picking one or two of the higher
priced ones up. Frans and Frida were heading back the
next morning so I battled on with my paper work and
had them sorted out with all the sales business and
money before they left (something I do with every sale
I have, everything including workers and vendor paid
right away).
The vendors of my Saturday morning sale in the Cliffs
Hotel on the Queens Promenade also turned up in time
to see me Auction off the last few lots for Frans Van
at the Football Club namely Andre Van Wiel and Jan Schreuder
better known as the Boscheind Flyers they were accompanied
by their good ladies. Having sold for the partnership
on three previous occasions in Ireland this was actually
my first time putting faces to the names so to speak,
had an enjoyable chat with them arranging to meet at
9.00am the following morning. So after a long day and
relatively no sleep the previous evening we were glad
that the night finished up quite early. Of course staying
next door to the Cliffs couldn’t have worked out
handier, we were up early and enjoyed an excellent cooked
breakfast at the Hotel before crossing the street to
the Cliffs. My two main men John Turner and Alan Cornwall
were already at the venue in the process of setting
up the pens also at this stage the 55 Lots for the Gibb
& Byrne sale in the afternoon had also arrived so
very much a fluster of activity first thing on Saturday
morning. The Cliffs Hotel is one of the very well known
and respected establishments around Blackpool and enjoys
great levels of support from the Fanciers in Northern
Ireland especially, so it was very pleasing to see many
familiar faces. We had the Boscheind Flyers birds penned
on time for the advertised viewing at 10.00am with a
kick off at 11.30 the Lancaster Suite started to fill
nicely with again many faces from Northern Ireland present.
I am proud to say that this family of birds are winning
well back home and this was very evident in the fanciers
who were present at the sale and subsequently bought.
Around 11.00am I had my second visit of the weekend
from the Blackpool Council just over seeing my Bi-Security
Measurers were in order and all paper work was present,
correct and up to date, no hassle and as you find with
any government official if you work with them in a mannerly
way you won’t have any hassle, coming from the
food business myself I am generally dealing with Council
officials on a regular basis. Richard Denison from Blackpool
council had phoned me before arriving in Blackpool sending
me samples of what paperwork he expected to see when
arriving at my sales. So to be fair they couldn’t
have been any more helpful. Only thing we thought they
could do was maybe supply Auctioneers with large posters
with all the guidelines printed on them for displaying
at Auctions that are taking place, maybe something they
will consider for the future.
The Boscheind Flyers sale rapped up around 12.30pm with
all the pigeons once again sold. The crowd was already
starting to develop for the Gibb & Byrne sale scheduled
to be viewed at 1.30pm so with a quick dismantling of
the pens with fresh sprayed ones erected and the birds
put in they we were just 5 minutes over the advertised
viewing of 1.30pm. Excellent work I might add by all
the staff of Ireland’s Own Pigeon Auctions. With
such a large crowd present I decided to stay around
answering any questions that needed answered, of course
Ian Gibb and son Peter were also present to answer any
question from the proposed buyers. The 3.00pm start
wasn’t long in coming round, and before I knew
it we were under way to a packed Lancaster Suite, class
pigeons are easy sold and again with all the Lots sold
I have no complaints the top priced bird in the Gibb
& Byrne sale going for £800. Not surprising
of course with the quality of stock that the Stud partnership
of Gibb & Byrne have. We wrapped up well on time
for the 5.00pm deadline to be out of the room thus allowing
the excellent staff of the Cliffs time to have the large
room set up for Saturday evenings entertainment. Was
talking with the exceptional racer and Show man Mr Timmy
Mawhinney at the sale also he made me aware of Northern
Ireland success at the Show itself. 1st and 2nd Cards
were won by T & K Mawhinney (Donacloney), Brown
& Shaw (Dromore) and E Wright & Son (Moira).
The T & K Mawhinney team who have had their best
ever Show Season in Ireland brought back the Sir Gordon
Richards Trophy Best 300 Miles and Over and Norman Axe
Memorial Trophy Best 200 Miles and Over. Also had a
visit from Eddie Debruxelles of Belgium at the end of
the Gibb & Byrne sale this is another fancier with
an impressive record at the middle to long distance
racing in Belgium, so had a beer with him before heading
back to get showered and changed for our scheduled visit
to the Gala Night at the Tower Ballroom.
We arrived just shortly after 8.00pm having ordered
four tickets with many thanks to our friend Fred Bloor
who organized them for us, in the end we only required
three so we opted to invite a couple in to the awards
giving them our fourth un-used ticket. Up a couple of
flights of stairs and along a long corridor which lead
us to the entrance of the Grand Ballroom, this being
my first time at the RPRA Awards night the Ballroom
is a site to see. By the time we had arrived it was
a struggle to get seated of course with all the pressure
over with regards auctioneering I opted to go straight
to the bar, where I was to meet Paul McCarthy from the
Ulster Federation affiliated Grosvenor HPS based in
Belfast. He kindly after somewhat friendly banter, directed
us over to a table just across from were he accompanied
with wife Kathleen and fellow club mate and friend Mr
& Mrs Joe Smyth were seated. I would say there was
something in the region of 600 people in attendance.
Another local face noticed just in front of me that
was Alan Hall from Omagh seated with John Wheatcroft
and his party from Selston NR Flying Club who won Club
of the Year.
The RPRA Awards were due to be presented at 9.30pm and
right on cue Peter Bryant General Manager of the RPRA
took to the floor and assisted with Pat Mitchell out
going President of the RPRA it wasn’t long in
getting to the first part that I was there to cover
as a Scribe for Ireland, it was non other than 12 year
old Christopher Tweed from Ballymoney in County Antrim.
Christopher collected a number of awards including 1st
Young Fanciers Short Distance and 2nd Young Fanciers
Middle Distance in total this is now seven RPRA Awards
he has won at the age of 12 quite something I am sure
you would agree. I also noticed another Ballymoney rising
star getting in on the act for the second year on the
trot, Curtis Tweed who once again won in the Young Fancier
Section at the Show. It was then the turn of Ian Gibb
& Sons of Derriaghy to take to the floor lifting
the impressive looking Massarella Trophy for Best Performance
with a young bird. Their bird is named ’Kevin’
and what a performer and what a record of racing the
Blue Cheq cock won the following positions. Tullamore
1st Club, 2nd Section D, 11th Open NIPA 5,422 birds;
Roscrea 1st Club, 1st Section D, 3rd Open NIPA 14,785
birds; Pilmore Beach 4th Club, 8th Section D, 21st Open
NIPA 16,880 birds; Tullamore 1st Club, 26th Section
D, 119th Open NIPA 8,219 birds; Fermoy 1st Club, 29th
Section D, 118th Open NIPA 11,440 birds; Fermoy Five
Bird 1st Club, 4th Section D, 29th Open NIPA; Skibbereen
North INFC 1st Club, 159th Open 4,011 birds. ‘Kevin’
also won the Irish Region RPRA 0 - 250 Mileage Award
and the Irish Region RPRA Best Single Y/B Performer
2007.
Now
it was a bit of a rush as it was for me because Ian
and son Peter are part of the Stud partnership of
Gibb & Byrne who I had sold for earlier in the
afternoon, indeed the first pigeon ever reared from
the award winning ‘Kevin’ was included
in the sale and bought by none other than Chris Howard,
to add to his impressive collection. Chris was telling
me at the sale that his good racer in 2007 actually
finished runner-up to Ian Gibb & Sons in the battle
to lift the Massarella Cup. It has been an exceptional
2007 for the partnership with the Europa One Loft
Race success and of course “Kevin” Champion
Y/Bird Performer of the Year with the RPRA. Ian Gibb
and Sons also topped the Derriaghy HPS many times
during the season, when they raced, finishing Top
Prize Winners in 2007. They also finished 81st Open
in the Europa Race on top of winning it and had no
fear come the Auction bringing the winner home as
Ian quoted “he will be coming home“, as
did the 2nd Open, 13th Open (The Ace Pigeon and nest
mate to the 2nd Open pigeon, both Kees Bosua pigeons)
33rd and 81st Open now all housed at the growing Stud
of Gibb & Byrne, these will start a small collection
known as the One Loft Team accompanied by “Super
Glue” winner of the 2005 Channel Challenge One
Loft Race also bought by Ian Gibb after that particular
race in 2005.
After a few more selective photos were taken we enjoyed
a few more drinks from the very well stocked bar opting
to leave early for a quick bite to eat before heading
back to our hotel, the group from the Grosvenor HPS
felt the same and we headed to the nearest Chinese
Restaurant were we enjoyed some excellent cuisine.
I was also to meet for the first time two other fanciers
from the Glen Inv in Belfast Joe Dillon and Shay O’Neill
a former YB Derby winner. Opting for a taxi just after
1.00am back to the hotel, we missed the massive crowd
in the town centre and the rain. Sunday morning started
with a short trip to the massive Hilton Hotel to meet
up with the Gibb & Byrne partnership, but before
hand I met with the Boscheind Flyers to settle up
all business concerning their Auction the previous
morning. I was privileged to conduct three auctions
in Blackpool for three of the pigeon sports finest
as far a quality stock is concerned, and they were
all present in Blackpool to meet with the fancy a
very nice personal touch. I might add it is also good
to report that all intend to have further business,
remember you read that here first. So with Andre and
Jan and the two wonderful ladies happy and a quick
discussion on their intentions this year, and Blackpool
next year, they were on their way back to Holland.
Ian and Peter Gibb along with Henry Byrne were just
checking out of the Hilton so we had a quick chat
and due to them flying and myself in the car I opted
to bring the Massarella Cup back to Northern Ireland
in the big box. So with the car loaded we headed over
to the Winter Gardens, fist person we met was Malachy
Maquire of Newry a formidable racer at the best of
times and a former OB Derby winner. We were just catching
up with the North South Federation Dinner that is
taking place very soon, I am very privileged to be
invited down to present the awards to some of the
greats currently racing pigeons in Ireland. Next was
none other than Mr & Mrs Andrew McAuley, the loft
race as A & R McAuley in Coleraine, and what racers
they are. Seen Andrew the night before at the Gala
Night and had a long substantial chat about a few
things, including getting a profile done on their
performances. Next Maurice Weir from Pigeon World
in Co Armagh, again you will be reading more over
the next few weeks, thinking to myself we are going
to have to make moves if we were to see any of the
show having moved about 6 foot steps in 40 minutes.
This is one of the enjoyable parts of the scribing
game, meeting so many people. We made our way through
various parts of the show calling with a few of the
stands including the “Emerald Classic”
One Loft Race which had a fine array of photos displayed
of the loft which is now almost completed, with entries
scheduled any time. There are still a few spaces available
for anybody who is interested priced at £125
per pigeon. It was encouraging to see just how many
One-Loft races have popped up, all trying to get business
at the Blackpool Show. From Ireland alone I seen three
the one mentioned above the Emerald Classic, then
you have the Galway One Loft Race which is incorporating
the Galway Horse Races with the pigeons flying from
the Chester Race Course they also have an excellent
amount of entries for the first year and finally another
one to surface is the Wicklow Hills One Loft Race
with Feeding and Supplements being sponsored by Sandyhill
Feeds. Then we have at least two in Scotland having
already met and teamed up with the girls from the
SCOTTISH CLASSIC One Loft Race Veronica Byrne was
hands on once again although her voice was starting
to dwindle. Then where do you start with England they
are everywhere all vying for business and trying to
compete against the already well established Europa
Classic and RPRA ones. As the afternoon progressed
we started to meet up with many more fanciers from
Northern Ireland, we also called at the Dazer stand
and met up with Bilco who was our quest over in Ireland
for the Pigeonnetwork.com Night of the Year, along
with Fred Bloor. Was also talking with Hugo Kipp from
Geraldy Hugo has some record over in Germany racing
an excellent family of pigeons, also seen Geert De
Clerq of Bricon who will be over in Northern Ireland
on the 11th and 12th of February, tried to see Mark
Palmer but after four attempts trying to get to the
Bricon Stand I gave up, perhaps next year they might
very well set up a few more to deal with the ever
popular demand, also was talking with Bert Braspenning
when along came a gentleman I had met at the Frans
Van Wildemeersch sale on Friday evening namely Tony
Bates, a great and very knowledgeable man who I will
most certainly keep in contact with. Seen Lee Fribbens
RP Owner and had a chat about a few plans we have
in the pipeline for this year. Also couldn’t
go past without seeing Steve Ricketts of the RP who
looks after my column so well each week. Called at
the BHW stand to square up my advertising bills with
Tracy and had a good chat with the stars from Armagh,
also met Steve Richards the BHW Editor for the first
time, my father now into his 36th year of scribing
for the BHW.
Well with time against us it was near closing and
our parking ticket was nearing time up so rather than
give the Blackpool Council the privilege we headed
back to our car and decided to make for Liverpool
early, stopping off at the local eateries next door
to Aintree Racecourse when we arrived in Liverpool.
So belly full on we went across the Mersey Tunnel
for the last time and arrived at the Ferry Terminal
in good time, meeting up with firstly Jim Ramsey from
Derry and later from Belfast Jackie Skates, Toby Lightbody
(The Legend) and Paul Gregg of the Gregg Bros and
McCandless partnership. Toby is very good friends
with Paddy Rock & son Martin from the Skerries
outside Dublin, a great long distance loft and former
Kings Cup winners.
Thankfully the ferry was away on time and what a perfect
sailing to round off a perfect weekend in Blackpool.
Already we have repeat business for next year, and
a lot of enquires, so I may start making arrangements
now, we are hoping also to try and make Dortmund Olympiad
next year, which is a week before Blackpool. So the
date for your diaries, Blackpool Show of the Year
will take place on January 24th and 25th 2009 where
Irelands Own Pigeons Auctions will be resident both
in the Cliffs Hotel and the Blackpool Football Club.
I will finish by thanking everybody who wished me
well before leaving Ireland and all my friends and
supporters who turned up at the sales to support the
Irelands Own Pigeon Auctions team. Also my many friends
and a host of others who I met during my trip to the
2008 Blackpool Show of the Year, until next year good
luck and enjoyable flying.
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Adie
McCormick
Ireland’s Own Pigeon Auctions
E-Mail celestiallofts@aol.com
www.pigeonnetwork.com
Tel 028 (92) 604778
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Out
going President of the RPRA Mr Pat Mitchel presenting
now the 7th RPRA Award to 12 year old Christopher Tweed
of Ballymoney Northern Ireland. |
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Mr
Ian and Peter Gibb picking up the Masserella Cup from
Pat Mitchel. This award is presented to the over-all
best performing Y/B of 2007 this years winner was 'Champion
Kevin' for the I Gibb & Sons partnership of Derriaghy,
N.Ireland.
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RPRA
Council member Mr Sammy Thompson pictured along with
Andrew McAuley of the Coleraine based A & R McAuley
partnership during the RPRA Awards presentation at the
Tower Ballroom, Blackpool.
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Ireland's
Own Pigeon Auctions Auctioneer Mr Adie McCormick pictured
along with Mr & Mrs Paul McCarthy and Mr & Mrs
Joe Smyth of the Belfast based Grosvenor HPS during
the Gala Evening in Blackpool. |
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Local
Omagh fancier and Section A NIPA Fancier of the Year
for a record amount of times on the (L) Mr Alan Hall
pictured with the team from the Selston NR Flying Club
who won Club of the Year.
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'Homer'
BHW Scribe for 36 years pictured along with RPRA Councilor
Mr Fred Bloor and Adie McCormick of www.pigeonnetwork.com
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Pictured
at the local Blackpool Chinese from the Glen Inv in
Belfast Joe Dillon and Shay O’Neill a former YB
Derby winner. 'Homer' is pictured dead centre of the
winning duo.
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On
our way home after a very successful Blackpool 2008
we banged into this happy party from Derry in Northern
Ireland.
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Paul
Gregg of the Gregg Bros and McCandless partnership pictured
with Mr Jackie Skates of Belfast along with the 'Legend'
Pictured Centrel this man was looking money to get his
photo taken. Who is it ????
refer to text.(sorry not a Ballymena Man)
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Adie
McCormick pictured along with Frans Van Wildemeesch
assisted with John Turner and Alan Cornwall Stewards
for the Irelands Own Pigeon Auctions Team in Blackpool
2008.
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Frieda
and Frans Van with Irelands New Kid on the Block at
the age of 33 Mr Adie McCormick.
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from the (L) Mr Lee Fribbens manageing Director of the
Racing Pigeon Weekly pictured along with RP Scribe and
Auctioneer Mr Adie McCormick accomapnied by Frans Van
Wildemeesch and the prolific David Coward Talbott at
the Blackpool Football Club.
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Mr
Martin Lane travelled 140 miles in a taxi to make sure
he made the Frans Van sale in the Fottball Club pictured
along with the highly respected Tony Bates already an
admirer of the Irelands Own Team.
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The
Boscheind Flyers put their faith in Adie this year to
sell their pigeons rather than the nromal stall they
had for many years at the Winter Gardens. The partnership
have bred a huge amount of winners in Ireland over the
last couple of years.
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Bert
Braspenning was pleased to see Adie at the Blackpool
Show on Sunday morning is he heading to Ireland for
the first time ?? lets wait and see.
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J P McCough was selling many pigeons but took some time
out to get snapped with Ireland's leading Auctioneer.
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Alec
Crawford the top racer from Ballylesson in northern
Ireland was pleased to see Adie at the Show in Blackpool.
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John
Boyd had a very busy weekend with the Emeral Classic
Stand their has been a huge response to the One Loft
Race in Ireland.
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Picking
up the prize for the flown 300 miles and over award
at the Blackpool show was the Northern Ireland based
Husband and Wife partnership of timmy and Kiera Mawhinney.
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The
Brown and Shaw partnership from Dromore, Co.Down , N.Ireland
had also success at the major show winning the Y/B Class
for the flown 100 or over catergory.
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The
Mawhinney team also picked up the award for O/Cock class
flown 200 miles and over.
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